Friends' rally for Simon Barnes

Members of the RG Cruisers car club prepares for the tribute in honour of Simon Barnes

Friends of a motoring-mad teenager who was killed in three-car crash held a cruise in his memory on Sunday night.

Simon Barnes, from Stockbury Close, Lower Earley, known to his pals as Barney, died in the collision involving a Peugeot 106, a Vauxhall Nova and Vauxhall Astra in Lower Earley Way on Easter Saturday.

More than 100 young drivers and friends from RG Cruisers car club pulled up in souped-up motors and hot hatches at Caversham skate park in Hills Meadow to pay tribute to the 19-year-old mechanic.

DJs played dance tracks before a minute’s silence was held and a collection of £370 was taken for the former Maiden Erlegh pupil’s parents to help cover the cost of his funeral.

A number of car stickers were created featuring a design of the New York Yankees baseball cap he often wore and the words ‘RIP Simon Barnes’.

One of his best friends, Torben Rees, 18, from Redhatch Drive, Lower Earley, said: “He always had a smile on his face, he was always happy like nothing seemed to affect him.

“He was just a happy kind of guy. He was a party starter.

“Everything was around cars. If there was something wrong with your car, nine times out of 10 Barney knew what it was and would fix it.

“I’m going to miss ringing him up and seeing what he’s up to, going to the pub with him, going out on the town with him – everything.”

Another friend, Paul Jones, 22, from Jay Close, Lower Earley, said: “He was the man, he was the voice. He was really full of life.

“There are a lot of people you can call your mates but he was different, he was a close one and would always help you out and was always happy.”

Ross Grimsby, 27, from Adwell Drive, Lower Earley, who started up RG Cruisers in January and organised the cruise, was pleased so many people had turned up to pay their respects.

He said: “I didn’t really know Barney very well. I knew of him through the car scene and met him a couple of times. It’s very sad to see a 19-year-old lose his life.

“He was a really good guy, no one had a bad word to say about him. All the girls loved him and a lot of friends and I heard he was more of a leader than a follower. People looked up to him.”

As a result of the crash a 23-year-old man from Emmbrook, Wokingham, and a 20-year-old woman, from Lower Earley have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. They have been released on bail to return to Loddon Valley police station on Friday, May 27.

Anyone who saw the collision is urged to call Sergeant Jim Upton at Three Mile Cross on 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.